A bullfrog is bringing joy to patrons at the Mockingbird Branch Library.

More importantly, its metamorphosis from a tadpole to a frog while housed in a tank by the circulation desk is giving kids a jump on learning lessons in science, said teen librarian Marianne Vadney.

She acquired a tadpole at the end of May as part of her summer educational series focused on science, technology, engineering and math for children between the ages of 6 and 15.

“The schools do a good job, but during the summer the library can help fill in so they’re not just staring at a screen the entire three months,” Vadney said.

The amphibian’s comfortable 10-gallon aquarium accommodations could make some frogs green with envy: water, flat rocks, gravel, artificial plants and regular feedings of crickets. What it doesn’t have is a name.

That will change soon with an online Name Our Frog contest. People can vote in an online “tad-poll” until June 27 for a favorite from 15 options. The proposed names were gleaned from more than 100 submitted after the tadpole went on display at the end of May.

Options include obvious choices like Prince, Kermit and Hop-a-Long as well as Loki, Mossy, Repatillic and Sir Giggles.

Buy Photo

Teen librarian Marianne Vadney at Mockingbird Branch Library on Wednesday looks for the frog that is on display in a 10-gallon tank at the circulation desk.(Photo11: Laura Gutschke/Reporter-News)

“I took a choice of the most requested names, and then a few favorites among staff,” Vadney said.

The frog’s gender is unclear, but early signs lean toward female.

This is the first tadpole-to-frog project for Vadney, who has worked for the city library at two different branches for 11 years. Staff at Pam’s Pets also have helped, she said.

“He was a huge tadpole. I’d say with tail he was a good 5-, 5½-inches. Ironically, he’s much smaller as a frog,” Vadney said. “He slowly absorbed his tail as he was growing his legs. So, once the tail was gone, all that was left was the main body.”

A sign next to the tank illustrates the frog’s life cycle.

“The kids would come in and look at him and they’d say, ‘Oh he’s a pollywog now,’” Vadney said. “It’s kind of teaching them the basic terminology and biology as well as life cycles.”

The growth has slowed, but the bullfrog is expected to reach 7 to 8 inches at maturity. Long before that happens, the frog will be released to a bigger habitat at the end of the summer, Vadney said.

A biology program on adaptations by the frog and other animals is slated for 4 p.m. July 23 at the Mockingbird branch. The many hands-on, educational and entertaining programs at the city’s libraries this summer indicate that the library too has adapted in how it serves communities.

“We’re no longer just a storehouse for books. We are a community partner. We’re a place for people to come and learn and feel safe. Whatever we see our community wants or needs, we’re here to provide it for them,” Vadney said.